Kijima Matabei- Commander of the Choshu Army at the Kinmon Incident
The manga "Getsumei Seiki" just featured the incident in its newest volume,
and Kijima is there. If this manga is as accurate as it seems to be, then
Kondou saw Kijima go down in battle.
At any rate, here's a bio. Any mistakes I make in translation are my own.
Born Bunka 14, January 8 (February 23, 1817), in Nagato Province, Asa
District, Nishitakadomari Village. 2nd son of Kitamura Masatsune. His
official name was Masahisa, common names were Kamenoshin, Kojiro, and
Matabei. Also known as Mori Kitaro. Pen names: Renki, Souzan, Muan Donin,
Hido.
Though born into the family of the unsalaried courier Kitamura, in Tenpo 7
(1836), he was adopted by Kijima Matabei Masatsune (59 koku 8 sho stipend)
of Ozu District, Tawarayama Village.
Tenpo 8 (1837), the family moved to Mine District, Akayasu Village. Tenpo 12
(1841), Matabei studied kenjutsu under Oishi Susumu of the Yanagawa domain,
and became an expert in the martial arts. In August of Koka 3 (1846), he
went to Edo and studied in the dojo of Kubota Sukeshiro. Returned to Choshu
in Kaei 1 (1848), and succeeded to the Kijima headship in January of Kaei 4
(1851). In November of the same year, he was appointed to the Temawarigumi
(presumably the daimyo's personal entourage), and was made the kago-bugyo
(palanquin overseer) for the daimyo's heir.
In March of Kaei 6, complying with the lord's orders, he went to Edo, and
was there when Perry's ships arrived. In December of the same year, he
submitted a memorial on national defense to the daimyo. Returned to Choshu
in May of Ansei 1, and held several successive jobs there- Official
Examiner, Household Affairs Manager, and others.
October of Bunkyu 2, he was assigned to Edo, and in March of Bunkyu 3
(1863)-- not long after the Shinsengumi-- he went to Kyoto, and in May he
returned to Choshu again, serving as assistant to the Overseer of Stables.
In June he AGAIN returned to Kyoto, at the head of a rifle brigade made up
of hunters. In July he was involved in political affairs, and in September,
returned home.
Before this, Takasugi Shinsaku had organized the Kiheitai, and not long
afterward, on August 18, there was the incident that drove Choshu from
Kyoto. Kijima worked together and formed the Yuugekigun in November.
(Now it gets interesting)
Genji 1 (1864)- March- Resigns as commander of the Yuugekigun, becomes
assistant to the new commander, Kokuji Shinano. *Infiltrates* Kyoto in April
of 1864, returning in May, and taking a strong line in advocating war
(against Aizu/Shinsengumi).
Remember folks-- Choshu knew PRETTY QUICK about Ikedaya...
In June he changed his name, and left for Osaka, leading the Yuugekitai and
Rikishitai (Sumo wrestler brigade) in battle at the Kinmon Incident in July.
While leading the forces from Saga-Tenryuji Temple to Hamagurigomon (outer
gate at the Imperial Palace), he was shot at by Aizu forces, and his nephew
Kitamura Takeshichi acted as his kaishaku (beheading at seppuku). Age at
death was 49.
Court rank-- Senior 4th rank. Buried at Higashiyama-Reizan in Kyoto, as well
as in Hikari City (in the former Choshu) at Iwabiyama Shrine, as well as in
his former home of Mine (pronounced "Mee-neh") City, West Akayasu.
(Source:
http://ddb.libnet.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/exhibit/ishin/jinmei/Kijima.html)
-M.